Biological Trace Information Extracted from Bioaerosols Using NGS Analysis

Bioaerosols are atmospheric particles with a biological trace, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and plant material such as pollen and plant debris. In this study, we analyzed the biological information in bioaerosols using next generation sequencing of the trace DNA. The samples were collected using an Andersen air sampler and separated into two groups according to particulate matter (PM) size: small (PM2.5) and large (PM10). Amplification and sequencing of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene, prokaryotic internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and DNA sequence of a plant chloroplast gene (rbcL) were carried out using several sets of specific primers targeting animal and plant sequences. Lots of bacterial information was detected from the bioaerosols. The most abundant bacteria in several samples were of the Actinobacteria (class), Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia. For the animal detection using internal transcribed spacer 1, only uncultured fungi were detected in more than half of the hits, with a high number of Cladosporium sp. in the samples. For the plant identification, the ITS1 information only matched fungal species. However, targeting of the rbcL region revealed diverse plant information, such as Medicago papillosa. In conclusion, traces of bacteria, fungi, and plants could be detected in the bioaerosols, but not of animals using our primers.

Collection of Bacterial Community Associated with Size Fractionated Aerosols from Kuwait

Airborne particles play a significant role in the spread of bacterial communities. The prevalence of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic forms in the inhalable fractions of aerosols is known. The abundance of microorganisms in the aerosols heightens the likely health hazards due to inhalation since they serve as carriers for pathogens and allergens, often acting as a vector for pulmonary/respiratory infections. Not much information is available on the occurrence and prevalence of bacterial communities in different size-fractionated aerosols in Kuwait. A high-volume air sampler with a six-stage cascade impactor was deployed for sample collection at two sites representing a remote and an urban site. A total volume of 815 ± 5 m3 of air was passed through the filters to trap the particulate matter ranging from 0.39 to >10.2 μm in size (Stage 1 to Stage 5 and base filter). Aeromonas dominated all the stages at the urban site and Stage 5 at the remote site, whereas Sphingobium was prevalent at Stages, 2, 3 and 4 at the remote site. Brevundimonas were found at Stages 1 and 5, and the base filter at the remote site. These results show that the bacterial community is altered in different size fractions of aerosols. Stages 1–4 form the respirable fraction, whereas Stage 5 and particles on the base filter are the inhalable fractions. Many species of Aeromonas cause disease, and hence their presence in inhalable fractions is a health concern, meaning that species-level identification is warranted.

Assessment of Fungal Concentrations Associated with Relative Humidity and Temperature Variations in the Indoor Environment

Background: Indoor environmental factors and human activities influence the presence and concentration of fungal propagules which may lead to the risk of developing respiratory infections and allergic reactions. Aim/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors that influence indoor fungal composition and determine its association with the development of respiratory and allergic reactions. Methodology: A total of 549 air samples and 226 nasal swabs of occupants were examined using health base questionnaire, malt extract agar and A6 single stage microbial air sampler. House dampness, mould growth on indoor materials, temperature, relative humidity, type of ventilation, type of human activity, and location of building were found to affect the prevalence and diversity of indoor fungi. Results: A total of 55, 46 and 50 species of fungi were isolated from homes, offices and hospitals respectively. High fungal count, were recorded in homes with moisture problems, low temperature and high relative humidity and homes located in high density areas. High cases of respiratory health problems were reported by occupants of these homes. Conclusion: Improvement in housing and establishment of awareness programmes can be used to lower fungal load and health problems associated with dampness in homes.It is necessary to maintain and prevent the housekeeping activities that can predispose fungal concentration in indoor environment.

Karakteristik Kimia dan Morfologi dari Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) di Jakarta dan Puncak-Bogor pada Masa Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar

Penggunaan transportasi umum di DKI Jakarta selama pemberlakuan Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) periode April – Mei 2020 meningkatkan kualitas udara secara signifikan, dibandingkan dengan tahun 2019. Salah satu parameter yang dapat menentukan kualitas udara adalah Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). Sampel TSP dikumpulkan dari lokasi Jaringan Pemantau Kualitas Udara Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) di Stasiun Meteorologi Kemayoran-Jakarta dan Pos Polusi Udara Cibeureum, Puncak-Bogor menggunakan alat High Volume Air Sampler (HVAS) selama 24 jam. Periode pengambilan sampel setiap enam hari sekali mulai 14 Maret hingga 19 Mei 2020. Konsentrasi TSP ditentukan menggunakan metode gravimetri. Rata-rata konsentrasi TSP pada tiga periode sampling pertama April 2020 (menjelang dan awal berlakunya PSBB) memiliki nilai terendah di Jakarta dan Puncak-Bogor berturut-turut sebesar 80,08 mg/m3 dan 40,51 mg/m3. Tingkat potensi toksisitas ditentukan untuk mengetahui efeknya terhadap kesehatan manusia. Potensi toksisitas dihitung dengan membagi konsentrasi TSP dengan nilai baku mutu nasional sebesar 230 ug/m3. Nilai potensial toksisitas rata-rata di Jakarta dan Puncak-Bogor masing-masing sebesar 0,527 dan 0,220. Sumber asal materi partikulat diketahui dengan digunakan model pollution-rose. Sampel TSP dikarakterisasi menggunakan instrumen Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Unsur yang melimpah pada permukaan partikel, secara berurutan terdiri dari O, Si, C, Na, Al, K dan Ca. Rasio komponen (Ca, C, O, Na, Al, Si, dan K) yang terdapat pada sampel TSP dari Jakarta dan Puncak-Bogor masing-masing sebesar 1,303; 1,060; 1,026; 0,995; 0,969; 0,898; dan 0,882. TSP dari Puncak-Bogor memiliki morfologi dengan bentuk cenderung tidak beraturan, sedangkan TSP dari Jakarta cenderung berbentuk bulat yang bertumpuk. Berdasarkan morfologi dan analisis kimianya, sebagian besar sumber TSP di Puncak-Bogor berasal dari alam, sedangkan TSP di Jakarta berasal dari campuran partikulat sumber antropogenik.

Potential noise annoyance from ambient air quality measurement using high volume air sampler (HVAS)

One of the benchmarks in air pollution is the quality of ambient air consisting of gas and particulate matter. Measurement of particulates in ambient air can be done using a High-Volume Air Sampler (HVAS). However, in the measurement process it sometimes causes noise annoyance to the community where the measuring instrument is operated, considering that the operating time of the instrument is 24 consecutive hours. This research identifies the value of the sound power level emitted from the several types of HVAS to the surrounding environment. There are two types of HVAS measured in this study consisting of one unit of HVAS with analogue flow control made by Indonesian manufacturer and two units of HVAS with digital flow control made by Japan and United States of America manufacturers. Sound power level is determined using ISO 9614 method with a sound intensity analyzer as the main instrument. The sound power level data for each HVAS were than compared and frequency spectrum distributions are evaluated. Based on the research results, it was found that some sample units emitted sound power levels of more than 90 dBA with dominant noise being at high frequencies starting from 4000 Hz. The results of the research can be used as an early information in the development of the HVAS regarding noise mitigation, because there is different approach for controlling noise specifics in low, mid and high frequencies noise source.

Size-Segregated Particulate Mass and Carbonaceous Components in Roadside and Riverside Environments

Air sampling for 12 h diurnal and nocturnal periods was conducted at two monitoring sites with different characteristics in Jambi City, Sumatra Island, Indonesia. The sampling was done at a roadside site and a riverside site from August 2–9, and from August 7–13 in 2019, respectively. A cascade air sampler was used to obtain information on the status, characteristics and behavior of airborne particles with a particular focus on the ultrafine fraction (PM0.1). The number of light vehicles was best correlated with most PM size categories, while those of heavy vehicles and motorcycles with the 0.5–1 μm and with >10 μm for the nocturnal period, respectively. These findings suggest that there is a positive influence of traffic amount on the PM concentration. Using carbonaceous parameters related to heavy-vehicle emissions such as EC and soot-EC, HV emission was confirmed to account for the PM0.1 fraction more clearly in the roadside environment. The correlation between OC/EC and EC for 0.5–1 μm particles indicated that biomass burning has an influence on both in the diurnal period. A possible transboundary influence was shown as a shift in the PM0.1 fraction characteristic from “urban” to “biomass burning”.

Size-Segregated Particulate Matter down to PM0.1 and Carbon Content during the Rainy and Dry Seasons in Sumatra Island, Indonesia

Size-segregated particulate matter (PM) including the PM0.1 fraction, particles ≤ 0.1 µm, was monitored during the rainy and dry seasons at three different cities in Sumatra island, Indonesia in 2018. In order to identify possible emission sources, carbonaceous components in the particles collected by a cascade air sampler that is capable of collecting PM0.1 particles were analyzed by applying a thermal/optical reflectance (IMPROVE-TOR) protocol. The PM0.1 levels in the Jambi and Pekanbaru areas were similar to those in large cities in East Asia, such as Bangkok and Hanoi. During the rainy season, local emissions in the form of vehicle combustion were the main sources of PM. The influence of peatland fires in the dry season was more significant in cities that are located on the east coast of Sumatra island because of the larger number of hotspots and air mass trajectories along the coast. A clear increase in the carbonaceous profiles as OC, TC, and OC/EC ratios in the dry season from the rainy season was observed, particularly in fine fractions such as PM0.5–1. In both seasons, EC vs. OC/EC correlations and soot-EC/TC ratios showed that the PM0.1 fraction in Sumatra island was heavily influenced by vehicle emissions, while the effect of biomass burning was more sensitive with respect to the PM0.5–1 fraction, particularly in Jambi and Pekanbaru sites during the dry season.

Occurrence of aliphatic and aromatic compounds associated with atmospheric particulate matter in three cities of Gujarat, India

The organic pollutants associated with atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in the environment, especially PM2.5 (particles <2.5 μm) have become a major issue worldwide in the past decade. The ambient air samples of four different sizes of particles were collected using an active air sampler (cascade impactor) from three cities of Gujarat: Anand, Ahmedabad and Surat. To study morphology and elemental composition, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray system (EDX) were used for fine particle size <1.0 μm. Besides, organic pollutants associated with particulate matter were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Total 54 organic chemicals including 29 aliphatic (alkanes and alkanoic acids) and 25 aromatic chemical compounds were identified qualitatively. Phthalate, the well-known plasticizer was found in the atmosphere of all three study sites. In addition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene and fluorene were quantified at high concentrations in Ahmedabad (315 ng/m3 and 509 ng/m3 respectively) followed by Surat (310 ng/m3 and 382 ng/m3) and Anand (76.1 ng/m3 and 123 ng/m3). The distribution of organic chemicals was found diverse at three locations which might be influenced by the different sources and landmass usage in each city. The presence of the carbonaceous elements in the particles indicates biomass burning emissions during the winter season which might be a source of pollutants in the studied areas.